Curtained headwear

ABSTRACT

A curtained headwear. The curtained headwear can include a head engaging portion adapted to engage a portion of a wearer&#39;s head, and a curtain portion coupled to and extending downwardly from the head engaging portion, wherein the curtain engaging portion encloses the wearer&#39;s face and extends from the head engaging portion to the upper torso of the wearer.

BACKGROUND

In various modes of public transportation, including airplanes, rail transit, and buses, travelers can find themselves in close quarters with other travelers for extended periods of time. During such extended periods, travelers may find themselves exposed to undesirable particles and odors in the air, dry air, excessive light and radiation, unwanted attention from others, and other environmental influences. Furthermore, travelers may wish to rest during travel, which is frequently made difficult by ambient light, such as environmental light, interior lighting, reading lamps, and so forth.

Known solutions for reducing environmental influences include travelers' eye masks. However, such solutions only cover the eye area and can still allow some light to penetrate under the mask. Moreover, such solutions do not protect the traveler from odors and other airborne substances, do not solve the issue of excessively dry air, nor provide any privacy to the traveler.

SUMMARY

A curtained headwear. The curtained headwear can include a head engaging portion adapted to engage a portion of a wearer's head, and a curtain portion coupled to and extending downwardly from the head engaging portion, wherein the curtain engaging portion encloses the wearer's face and extends from the head engaging portion to the upper torso of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:

FIGS. 1 a-1 b show a first exemplary embodiment of a curtained headwear.

FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a curtained headwear.

FIGS. 3 a-3 b show a third exemplary embodiment of a curtained headwear.

FIGS. 4 a-4 b show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a curtained headwear.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of a curtained headwear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a curtained headwear is disclosed. Generally, the curtained headwear can include a head-engaging portion and at least one curtain portion coupled to and extending from the head-engaging portion. The materials used to form the head engaging portion and curtain portion may be any desired materials, for example natural or synthetic textile or fabric. One exemplary material for forming the portions of the curtained headwear may be silk. Other exemplary materials may include materials having air filtration capabilities. Furthermore, if desired, several materials may be used in the construction of portions of the curtained headwear; for example, a material such as silk may be used to form a pair of outer layers of the head engaging portion and/or curtain portion, while a material with air filtration capabilities may be used as an inner layer for the head engaging portion and/or curtain portion.

FIGS. 1 a-1 b show a first exemplary embodiment of a curtained headwear 100. Curtained headwear 100 can include a head-engaging portion 110 and a curtain portion 150. Head engaging portion 110 may be adapted to engage the top of the wearer's head such that the head engaging portion rests on the head of the wearer. The shape of the perimeter of the head engaging portion may be circular, polygonal, or any other shape that allows headwear 100 to function as described herein while providing a desired aesthetic effect. An exemplary, but not limiting, diameter of head engaging portion 110 may be approximately 11 inches. Head engaging portion 110 may be a single or double layer of any desired material, and, in some embodiments, may include cushioning members on the head-contacting surface of head engaging portion 110.

Curtain portion 150 may be coupled to head engaging portion 110 substantially at the perimeter of head engaging portion 110. Curtain portion 150 may be a substantially tubular member and may be formed of any desired material, such as textile or fabric. Curtain portion 150 may extend from head engaging portion 110 such that, when headwear 100 is worn, the curtain portion is disposed substantially around the wearer's head. Furthermore, curtain portion 150 may have a length that allows the curtain portion to extend between head engaging portion 110 and the wearer's upper body, thereby reducing the likelihood of any gaps therebetween while enclosing the wearer's head. In some exemplary embodiments, curtain portion 150 may circumferentially enclose the wearer's head. An exemplary length for curtain portion 150 may be approximately 15 inches.

Head engaging portion 110 may further include a deformable member 112 disposed around the perimeter thereof. Deformable member 112 may be a memory wire, or any other deformable member that allows headwear 100 to function as described herein. The deformable member 112 can allow the wearer to adjust the shape of head engaging portion 110, thereby also allowing the wearer to adjust the distance of curtain portion 150 from the wearer's head. For example, if the wearer desires to increase the distance between the face and the curtain portion, the wearer may adjust deformable member 112 accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a curtained headwear 200. Curtained headwear 200 can include a head-engaging portion 210 and a curtain portion 250. Head engaging portion 210 may be substantially similar to head engaging portion 102, described above. Head engaging portion 210 may further include a deformable member 212, which may be substantially similar to deformable member 112, described above.

Curtain portion 250 may be formed from a section of any desired material, which may be rectangular, or may have any other shape, and can be coupled to head engaging portion 210 substantially at the perimeter of head engaging portion 210. Furthermore, curtain portion 250 may be coupled such that the side edges 252 of curtain portion 250 form an overlap, thereby defining a slit 254 between the two layers of the overlap. Curtain portion 250 may extend from head engaging portion 210 such that, when headwear 200 is worn, the curtain portion is disposed substantially around the wearer's head. Furthermore, curtain portion 250 may have a length that allows the curtain portion to extend between head engaging portion 210 and the wearer's upper body, thereby reducing the likelihood of any gaps therebetween while fully enclosing the wearer's head. An exemplary length for curtain portion 150 may be approximately 15 inches, while an exemplary length for the overlap may be approximately 2 inches. The wearer can don curtained headwear 200 such that the overlap and slit 254 are positioned substantially in front of the wearer's face. The overlap and slit 254 of curtain portion 250 can allow the wearer to part the side edges 252 when it is desirable to look around, eat, or the like, without removing curtained headwear 200. Furthermore, fasteners may be provided on edges 252, allowing the wearer to couple the edges to each other when desired. These fasteners may be hook-and-loop fasteners, pull strings, buttons, snaps, or any other fastener known in the art.

FIGS. 3 a-3 b show a third exemplary embodiment of a curtained headwear 300. Curtained headwear 300 can include a head-engaging portion 310 and a curtain portion 350. Head engaging portion 310 may be adapted to engage the top of the wearer's head such that the head engaging portion rests on the head of the wearer. The head engaging portion 310 may further be shaped as the crown of a hat or cap. For example, head engaging portion 310 may have a substantially hemispherical shape which can rest on the head of the wearer similar to a hat or other headpiece. Head engaging portion may further be adjustable so as to fit any desired size of head, and may include any known size-adjusting structures, such as, for example, a tab-and-aperture band such as that on “one-size-fits-all” caps.

An extension 320 may be coupled to head engaging portion 310 and extend away therefrom such that, when headwear 300 is worn, the extension projects forwardly of the face of the wearer. Extension 320 may have any desired shape; for example, extension 320 may be shaped as the bill of a cap, such that head engaging portion 310 and extension 320 form the shape of a baseball cap or the like. In other exemplary embodiments, extension 320 may extend circumferentially around the perimeter of head engaging portion 310, such that head engaging portion 310 and extension 320 have the shape of a hat with a brim. This can facilitate keeping curtain portion 350 at a distance from the face and/or head of the wearer.

Curtain portion 350 may be formed from a section of any desired material, which may be rectangular, or may have any other shape, and can be coupled to head engaging portion 310 substantially at the perimeter of head engaging portion 310. Curtain portion 350 may extend from head engaging portion 310 such that, when headwear 300 is worn, the curtain portion encloses the wearer's face, with the side edges of curtain portion 350 being located substantially proximate to the wearer's ears, or at any point behind the wearer's ears. Furthermore, curtain portion 350 may have a length that allows the curtain portion to extend between head engaging portion 310 and the wearer's upper body, thereby reducing the likelihood of any gaps therebetween while fully enclosing the wearer's head. An exemplary length for curtain portion 350 may be approximately 15 inches, while an exemplary length for the overlap may be approximately 2 inches.

FIGS. 4 a-4 b show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a curtained headwear 400. Curtained headwear 400 can include a head-engaging portion 410 and a curtain portion 450. Head engaging portion 410 may be adapted to engage the top of the wearer's head such that the head engaging portion encircles the head of the wearer. For example, head engaging portion 410 may be provided as an elastic band adapted to encircle the head of the wearer. Head engaging portion 410 may further include fasteners 412 on the ends thereof, allowing the wearer to place head engaging portion 410 around the head and fasten portion 410 such that the elastic band is maintained substantially snugly against the wearer's head. Fasteners 412 may be hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, buckles, or any other known fasteners that enables headwear 400 to function as described herein.

An extension 420 may be coupled to a portion of head engaging portion 410 and extend away therefrom such that, when headwear 400 is worn, the extension projects forwardly of the face of the wearer. Extension 420 may have any desired shape; for example, extension 420 may be shaped as the bill of a cap. In other exemplary embodiments, extension 420 may be shaped substantially rectangularly, thereby providing a brim to headwear 400 when the headwear is worn. This can facilitate keeping curtain portion 450 at a distance from the face and/or head of the wearer.

Curtain portion 450 may be formed from a section of any desired material, which may be rectangular, or may have any other shape, and can be coupled to head engaging portion 410 substantially at the lower edge of the elastic band. Curtain portion 450 may further be coupled to the edge of extension 420. Curtain portion 450 may extend from head engaging portion 410 such that, when headwear 400 is worn, the curtain portion encloses the wearer's face, with the side edges of curtain portion 450 being located substantially proximate to the wearer's ears, or at any point behind the wearer's ears. Furthermore, curtain portion 450 may have a length that allows the curtain portion to extend between head engaging portion 410 and the wearer's upper body, thereby reducing the likelihood of any gaps therebetween while fully enclosing the wearer's head. An exemplary length for curtain portion 450 may be approximately 15 inches.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of a curtained headwear 500. Curtained headwear 500 can include a head-engaging portion 510 and a curtain portion 550. Head engaging portion 510 may be substantially similar to head engaging portion 102, described above. Head engaging portion 510 may further include a deformable member 512, which may be substantially similar to deformable member 112, described above.

Curtain portion 550 may include a first portion 552 and a second portion 554. Both portions 552, 554 may be formed from a section of any desired material, which may be rectangular, or may have any other shape. The portions 552, 554 can be coupled to head engaging portion 510 substantially at the perimeter of head engaging portion 510. Furthermore, first and second portion 552, 554 may be coupled such that the side edges 556 of first portion 552 form an overlap, with side edges 558 of second portion 554, thereby defining a pair of slits 560 between the two layers of the overlaps. Curtain portion 550 may extend from head engaging portion 510 such that, when headwear 500 is worn, the curtain portion is disposed substantially around the wearer's head. Furthermore, curtain portion 550 may have a length that allows the curtain portion to extend between head engaging portion 510 and the wearer's upper body, thereby reducing the likelihood of any gaps therebetween while fully enclosing the wearer's head. An exemplary length for curtain portion 150 may be approximately 15 inches, while an exemplary length for the overlap may be approximately 2 inches. The wearer can don curtained headwear 500 such first portion 554 is positioned substantially in front of the wearer's face. The overlaps and slits between portions 553, 554 can allow the wearer to place second portion 554 over the head and out of the way of the face when it is desirable to look around, eat, or the like, without removing curtained headwear 500. Furthermore, fasteners may be provided on edges 556, 558, allowing the wearer to couple the edges to each other when desired. These fasteners may be hook-and-loop fasteners, pull strings, buttons, snaps, or any other fastener known in the art. Finally, it should be appreciated that the two piece curtain portion may be used in conjunction with any of the head engaging portions described above.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A curtained headwear, comprising: a head engaging portion adapted to engage a portion of a wearer's head; and a curtain portion coupled to and extending downwardly from the head engaging portion; wherein the curtain engaging portion encloses the wearer's face and extends from the head engaging portion to the upper torso of the wearer.
 2. The curtained headwear of claim 1, wherein the curtain portion is coupled to the head engaging portion substantially at the perimeter of the head engaging portion.
 3. The curtained headwear of claim 1, wherein the curtain portion comprises a pair of overlapping side edges.
 4. The curtained headwear of claim 1, wherein the curtain portion comprises a slit defined therein.
 5. The curtained headwear of claim 1, further comprising a deformable member extending around the perimeter of the head engaging portion.
 6. The curtained headwear of claim 1, wherein the curtain portion circumferentially encloses the wearer's head.
 7. The curtained headwear of claim 1, further comprising: an extension coupled to the head engaging portion and projecting outwardly therefrom; wherein at least a segment of the curtain portion is coupled to the perimeter of the extension; and wherein, when the headwear is worn, the extension serves to provide clearance between the curtain portion and the wearer's head.
 8. The curtained headwear of claim 7, wherein the extension projects substantially horizontally.
 9. The curtained headwear of claim 7, wherein the extension is shaped as a bill of a cap.
 10. The curtained headwear of claim 7, wherein the extension is shaped as a brim of a hat.
 11. The curtained headwear of claim 1, wherein the head engaging portion is shaped as a crown of a hat.
 12. The curtained headwear of claim 1, wherein the head engaging portion comprises an elastic band.
 13. The curtained headwear of claim 1, wherein the curtain portion comprises a first portion and a second portion, the side edges of the first portion and the second portion overlapping.
 14. A curtained headwear, comprising: a head engaging portion adapted to contain the head of a wearer, and including a lower edge; an extension having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being coupled to at least a segment of the head engaging portion, the extension projecting outward from the head engaging portion; and a curtain portion coupled to the lower edge of the head engaging portion and extending downwards therefrom; wherein the curtain portion extends until the upper torso of the wearer when the headwear is worn; and wherein the curtain portion is further coupled to the second edge of the extension.
 15. The curtained headwear of claim 14, wherein the head engaging portion comprises an elastic band.
 16. The curtained headwear of claim 14, wherein the head engaging portion is shaped as a crown of a hat.
 17. The curtained headwear of claim 14, wherein the curtain portion comprises a first portion and a second portion, the side edges of the first portion and the second portion overlapping.
 18. The curtained headwear of claim 14, wherein the curtain portion comprises a pair of overlapping side edges.
 19. The curtained headwear of claim 14, wherein the extension is shaped as a bill of a cap.
 20. The curtained headwear of claim 14, wherein the curtain portion encloses the wearer's face. 